Background: The South African constitution protects the rights of gays; however in the workplace gays experience discrimination and marginalization. As a result of marginalization they struggle to reach their potential regarding career development and the fulfilment of their worker role.
Objective: The study explored the experiences and perceptions of gay males with regard to acquiring and maintaining their worker roles.
Methods: The study is phenomenological and qualitative in design. Eleven of these men participated in two focus groups. One male participated in two in-depth interviews and one interview was conducted with a key informant.
Results: Three themes emerged: 1) Being boxed in, 2) The glass ceiling, 3) This is where I can wear my feather boa.
Conclusions: The study findings clearly depicted the many barriers experienced by homosexual men and how this negatively impacts on their worker role. Minimal facilitatory factors exist, to assist gay males %in with regard to their worker role. It was found that homo-prejudice still exists in South Africa and its workplaces and has a negative impact not only on gay men's worker role but also their well-being. This significantly highlights the great need for occupational therapy intervention in the lives of these gay men, and their workplaces.
Keywords: Occupational therapy; ex-offenders; homosexuality; occupation; qualitative research; vocational rehabilitation.